Trace-carrier.



No; 746,839. PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

H. 0. HURD.

TRACE CARRIER. APPLIUATION I'ILED MAY 14, 1903.

H0 MODEL.

nmouma, WAEHLNGTON. u. c

UNITED. STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

' PAT NT OFFICE.

TRACE-GARNER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 746,839, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed May 1 1, 1903.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARVEY CLARK HURD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montevista, in the county of Rio Grande and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Trace-Carrier, of which the following is a specification.

This in vention relates to trace-carriers, and has for its object to simplify and improve devices of this character and provide a device wherein the cockeyes of the traces will be prevented from accidentaldisplacement,while at the same time easily connected with'and disconnected from the carrier when required; and the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter shown and described,and specified in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention,in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the improved de-.

vices complete. Fig. 2 is a'longitudinal sectional elevation with the ends of the traces connected therewith. l

The improved device comprises a skeleton frame formed with base members 10, 'preferably oblong in outline, and upwardly-arching members 11 12, spaced apart and connected centrally by a central member 13 and provided with tongues 14 15, depending centrally from the arched members. The frame is likewise connected by intermediate transverse bars l6 l7 and with transverse supporting members l8 19 near the ends of the base members, shown. All of these parts are preferably integral and of malleable iron or other suitable metal.

Connected as by rivets 2O 21 centrally to the supporting members 18 19 are springs 22 23, the springs being held in recesses in the members 18 and 19, as shown. The springs 22 23 extend inwardly beneath the tongues l4 l5 and upwardly beneath the bar 13, being formed with recesses at 28 29 in their free ends embracing the bar and effectually preventing lateral displacement of the upper ends of springs while in use.

The cockeyes of the traces are indicated at 24 25 with sections of the traces connected thereto, as shown at 26 27, and when applied the cockeyes will be inserted between the bars 11 and 16 and 12 and 17 and beneath the 1 Serial No. 157.173. on model.)

;tongues 14 15, respectively, depressing the springs bythis action and being held in place by the return of the latter to their positions in engagement with the bar 13, as shown. By this simple means the cockeyes and traces will be supported when not in use and all danger of displacement obviated, no matter how severe the concussions orjarring may be.

It frequently happens that harness after being taken from the horses is thrown about and subjected to severe jarring and concussion, and when this takes place the traces are very liable tobe shaken loose from the carriers as ordinarily constructed. With my improved arrangement, however, thespriugs 22 and 23 being firmly held at both ends from lateral displacement will not be affected by these movements and will retain the traces in position during all the various positions in which the harness may be placed. EX- tending the springs to the bar 13 and forking their free ends, as at 28 29, whereby they are causedto embrace the sides of the bar, is therefore an important feature of the invention, and,together with means whereby the lower ends of the springs are secured between the walls of the recesses in the members 18 19, adds materially to its value and efficiency.

The device may be adapted to all the various sizes and forms of harness and may be attached thereto at any desired point, but will usually be attached at the intersection of the back and hip straps in the ordinary 'manner.

The device may be plated, japanned, or otherwise ornamented or protected, as desired.

Having thus described the inveution,what I claim is- 1. A trace-carrier comprising a skeleton frame havingarching transverse brace-guards spaceda part and connect-ed by a central longitudinal bar with spaced tongues depending from said brace-bars, transverse supports at the lower portion of said skeleton frame near its ends, and springs connected to said supports, and extending inwardly beneath said tongues and upwardly between the tongues and provided with recesses in their free ends in yieldable engagement with said longitudinallydisposed central bar, whereby the cockeyes of the traces are adapted to be supported in yieldable. engagement with the tongues and accidentaldisplacementobviated and lateral displacement of the springs likewise prevented, substantially as described.

2. A trace-carrier comprising a skeleton frame having arched transverse brace-guards spaced apart and connected by a central longitudinal bar with spaced tongues depending from said brace-bars, transverse supports at the lower portion of said skeleton frame near its ends,and provided with transverse recesses to form seats and springs connected to said supports, within said seats, and extending inwardly beneath said tongues and then upwardly between the tongues and with re- HARVEY CLARK HURD.

Witnesses:

LENA R. BOROUGHS, H. H. ABBOTT. 

